Tuesday, March 03, 2015, 12:51 p.m.

Most St. Francis County absentee ballots disqualified

FORREST CITY — Election officials say more than 80 percent of absentee votes in St. Francis County were disqualified in Tuesday's primary because of a lack of identification.

St. Francis County Election Commission Chairman Frederick Freeman said the county received 102 absentee ballots for the election. Of those, only 19 were counted because 83 were submitted without proof of identification, which is now required under Arkansas' voter ID law.

The law passed last year gave people who voted in person extra time to show proof of ID. But the law contained no such provision for absentee voters, and the state's attempt to adopt the rule failed under a court challenge.

Freeman told the Times-Herald that he believes the current process puts a barrier in place for many voters, particularly the elderly.

Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 total comments

You gotta admit, the Republican party has this election rigging thing almost down pat. Their propaganda machine is hittin on all 8 cylinders too. It's amazing what a few million dollars will buy these days . Go Cock Brothers ! :-)

Barrier to voting -- thank you Republicans. The law of unintended consequences (or did some of you really intend this to happen) has bit this state in the hiney and you are responsible for this travesty. Jelly-spined goobers!